Two-piece vane seal

ABSTRACT

A two piece vane seal for a variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine that reduces leakage. The two piece vane seal having a first portion including a first end, a second end, and a flange extending axially from the first end. Also having a second portion including a first end, a second end, and a flange extending axially from the first end. The first portion is assembled relative to and connected to the second portion. Also having a spring having a first end and a second end and a length, extending over the curved ledge of the longitudinally extending wall of the first portion and the second portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to the field of vane seals. More particularly,the invention pertains to a two-piece vane seal for a phaser of avariable cam timing system.

Description of Related Art

Internal combustion engines have employed various mechanisms to vary therelative timing between the camshaft and the crankshaft for improvedengine performance or reduced emissions. The majority of these variablecamshaft timing (VCT) devices use one or more “vane phasers” on theengine camshaft (or camshafts, in a multiple-camshaft engine). Vanephasers have a rotor assembly with one or more vanes, mounted to the endof the camshaft, coaxially located within a housing assembly. The rotorassembly has at least one vane separating a chamber formed between thehousing assembly and the rotor assembly into an advance chamber and aretard chamber. The vane is capable of rotation to shift the relativeangular position of the housing assembly and the rotor assembly. A vaneseal is received within the end of at least one of the vanes. The vaneseal provides a seal between the advance and retard chambers on eitherside of the vane, such that when fluid pressure is applied to either ofthe advance or retard chambers and the vane rotates, the seal preventsleakage across the chambers. A conventional vane seal is typically onepiece and made of molded plastic with a fixed geometry. Wear and thermalexpansion can cause changes to the fixed geometry of the conventionalvane seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A two piece vane seal reduces leakage across the vane seal. The vaneseal having a first portion and a second portion, the second portionbeing a mirror image of the first portion. The first portion and thesecond portion each have a first end, a second end connected to thefirst end, and a flange extending axially from the first end. The firstend and the second end are connected by a longitudinally extending wall,whereas the longitudinally extending wall includes an inner surface, arectangular structure extending radially outward from and parallel tothe inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall, a flat surfaceextending parallel to and radially outward from the inner surface of thelongitudinally extending wall. A first longitudinal recess defined bythe rectangular structure adjacent to at least the flat surface defininga second longitudinal recess between the flat surface and therectangular structure and including a radially outward exposed surfaceand at least one spring end retainer extending radially outward from theinner surface of the longitudinally extending wall. An edge protrudingradially outward from the inner surface of the longitudinally extendingwall projecting from the second end a length and aligned with the secondlongitudinal recess including a first end with a protrusion and a secondend. A curved ledge extending radially outward from and parallel to theinner surface of the longitudinally extending wall between the secondend and the spring end retainer. A ramp extending radially outward fromand parallel to the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wallconnecting the curved ledge to the flat surface. The first portionassembled relative to and connected to the second portion with the innersurface of the longitudinally extending wall of the first portionopposite the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall of thesecond portion, such that the second longitudinal recess of the secondportion receives the edge extending from the longitudinally extendingwall of the first portion. A spring comprising a first end, a secondend, and a length, the first end received by the spring end retainer onthe inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall of the secondportion, the second end received by the spring end retainer on the innersurface of the longitudinally extending wall of the first portion

In another embodiment, a two piece vane seal has a first portion havinga first end, a second end connected to the first end, and a flangeextending axially from the first end. Whereas the first end and thesecond end are connected by a first longitudinally extending wallincluding an inner surface with a rectangular structure extendingradially outward from and parallel to the inner surface of the firstlongitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinal recess, therectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flat surface defininga second longitudinal recess between the flat surface and therectangular surface and having a radially outward exposed surface. Atleast one spring end retainer extending radially outward from the innersurface of the first longitudinally extending wall and an edge extendingradially outward from the inner surface of the first longitudinallyextending wall protruding from the second end a length and aligned withthe second longitudinal recess. A second portion including a first end,a second end connected to the first end, and a flange extending axiallyfrom the first end. Whereas the first end and the second end areconnected by a second longitudinally extending wall having an innersurface with a rectangular structure extending radially outward from andparallel to the inner surface of the second longitudinally extendingwall defining a first longitudinal recess, the rectangular structurebeing adjacent to at least a flat surface defining a second longitudinalrecess of the second longitudinally extending wall between the flatsurface and the rectangular surface and having a radially outwardexposed surface. At least one spring end retainer extending radiallyoutward from the inner surface of the second longitudinally extendingwall. An edge extending radially outward from the inner surface of thesecond longitudinally extending wall protruding from the second end alength and aligned with the second longitudinal recess of the secondlongitudinally extending wall. The first portion is assembled relativeto and connected to the second portion with the inner surface of thefirst longitudinal wall opposite the inner surface of the secondlongitudinal wall, such that the second longitudinal recess of thesecond longitudinally extending wall receives the edge extending fromthe first longitudinally extending wall and the second longitudinalrecess of the first longitudinally extending wall receives the edgeextending from the second longitudinally extending wall. A spring havinga first end, a second end, and a length, the first end received by thespring end retainer on the inner surface of the second longitudinallyextending wall of the second portion, the second end received by thespring end retainer on the inner surface of the first longitudinallyextending wall of the first portion.

In yet another embodiment, a variable cam timing phaser for an internalcombustion engine having a housing assembly, a rotor assembly coaxiallylocated within the housing assembly having vanes extending therefrom,the end of the vane defining a groove. A vane seal received within thegroove, the vane seal having a first portion having a first end, asecond end, and a flange extending axially from the first end. Whereasthe first end and the second end are connected by a first longitudinallyextending wall including an inner surface with a rectangular structureextending radially outward therefrom and parallel to the inner surfaceof the first longitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinalrecess. The rectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flatsurface defining a second longitudinal recess between the flat surfaceand the rectangular surface and having a radially outward exposedsurface. At least one spring end retainer extending radially outwardfrom the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall. Anedge extending radially outward from the inner surface of the firstlongitudinally extending wall extending from the second end a length andaligned with the second longitudinal recess. A second portion includinga first end, a second end attached to the first end, and a flangeextending axially from the first end. Whereas the first end and thesecond end are connected by a second longitudinally extending wallhaving an inner surface with a rectangular structure extending radiallyoutward from and parallel to the inner surface of the secondlongitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinal recess. Therectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flat surface defininga second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wallbetween the flat surface and the rectangular surface and having aradially outward exposed surface. At least one spring end retainerextending radially outward from the inner surface of the secondlongitudinally extending wall. An edge extending radially outward fromthe inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall extendingfrom the second end a length and aligned with the second longitudinalrecess of the second longitudinally extending wall. The first portion isassembled relative to and connected to the second portion with the innersurface of the first longitudinal wall opposite the inner surface of thesecond longitudinal wall, such that the second longitudinal recess ofthe second longitudinally extending wall receives the edge extendingfrom the first longitudinally extending wall. The second longitudinalrecess of the first longitudinally extending wall receives the edgeextending from the second longitudinally extending wall. A spring havinga first end, a second end, and a length, the first end received by thespring end retainer on the inner surface of the second longitudinallyextending wall of the second portion, the second end received by thespring end retainer on the inner surface of the first longitudinallyextending wall of the first portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a two piece vane seal of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a shows a perspective top view of the two piece vane seal withflanges for insertion into the end of the vane.

FIG. 2b shows a perspective bottom view of the two piece vane seal withflanges for insertion into the end of the vane.

FIG. 3a shows an exploded perspective view of the two piece vane seal.

FIG. 3b shows an exploded top down view of the two piece vane seal.

FIG. 4a shows another exploded perspective view of the two piece vaneseal.

FIG. 4b shows another exploded top down view of the two piece vane seal.

FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view of a second portion of the twopiece vane seal.

FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of the second portion of the twopiece vane seal.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate sectional view of the second portion of thetwo piece vane seal.

FIG. 8 shows an internal view of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 9 shows the two piece vane seal of an embodiment of the rotorreceived within an end of the vane of a rotor assembly.

FIG. 10 shows another sectional view of the two piece vane sealinstalled into the rotor assembly relative to the housing assembly andend plates of the phaser.

FIG. 11a shows an end view of the two piece vane seal.

FIG. 11b shows a sectional view of the two piece vane seal of FIG. 11aalong line A-A.

FIG. 11c shows a sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 11b of the twopiece vane seal.

FIG. 11d shows a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 11b of the twopiece vane seal.

FIG. 11e shows a sectional view along line D-D of FIG. 11b of the twopiece vane seal.

FIG. 11f shows a sectional view along line E-E of FIG. 11b of the twopiece vane seal.

FIG. 12a shows a side view with a wall removed of the two piece vaneseal.

FIG. 12b shows a sectional view of FIG. 12a along line B-B.

FIG. 13 shows an end of the two piece vane seal.

FIG. 14 shows a detailed view of A of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a top down view of a first half of a two piece vane seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A two piece vane seal 100 includes a first portion 10 a and a secondportion 10 b. The second portion 10 b may be smaller, larger, or amirror image of the first portion 10 a. Therefore, the first portion 10a and the second portion 10 b may have identical, or differing, surfacesand recesses described in further detail below. When the first portion10 a is assembled relative to the second portion 10 b, with likesurfaces interfacing relative to each other, the two piece vane seal 100forms a complete vane seal enclosing and sealing a spring 50, such asleaf spring, such that the two piece vane seal 100 can be placed withinan end of the vane 104 of a rotor assembly 105 as shown in FIGS. 9-11.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 and 11-15, each portion or piece 10 a, 10 b ofthe two piece vane seal 100 has a first end 90 and a second end 91.

The first end 90 and the second end 91 are connected through alongitudinally extending side wall 60 a, 60 b. The longitudinallyextending side wall 60 a, 60 b has an outer surface 61 which will beadjacent the vane 104 of the rotor assembly 105 when installed and aninner surface 62. The first end 90 of each portion 10 a, 10 b of the twopiece vane seal 100 has a flange 12 a, 12 b perpendicular to the sidewall 60 a, 60 b. The flange 12 a, 12 b contains a bore 25 a, 25 b whichreceives a protrusion 22 a, 22 b discussed in further detail below. Endsof the flange 12 a, 12 b have an interlock protrusion 13 a, 13 b whichis received within an opening 25 a, 25 b present within the opposingportion of the flange 12 a, 12 b of the vane seal as shown in FIG. 12 d.

The second end 91 has an end wall 16 a, 16 b, perpendicular to theflanges 12 a, 12 b extending transversely opposite the flange 12 a, and12 b. Between the end wall 16 a, 16 b and the flange 12 a, 12 b with theinterlocking protrusion 13 a, 13 b is a flat surface 17 a, 17 b adjacentthe inner surface 62 of the longitudinally extending side wall 60 a, 60b. The flat surface 17 a, 17 b extends from the flange 12 a, 12 b to aramp 18 a, 18 b, with the ramp 18 a, 18 b terminating in a curved ledge20 a, and 20 b.

Adjacent the flat surface 17 a, 17 b and below the curved ledge 20 a, 20b is another flat surface 88 a, 88 b with a side edge 24 b and anexposed edge 29 b.

Below the flat surfaces 17 a, 17 b, 88 a, 88 b is a rectangularstructure 85 a, 85 b with a longitudinal recess 21 a, 21 b which isspaced a distance to form another longitudinal recess 19 a, 19 b betweenthe flat surfaces 17 a, 17 b and the rectangular structure 85 a, 85 b.The rectangular structure has a side surface 86 a, 86 b and an exposedsurface 30 a, 30 b and forms the bottom 70 a, 70 b of the two piece vaneseal 100. The bottom 70 a, 70 b is preferably contoured.

Along the inner surface 62 of the side walls 60 a, 60 b aligned with thelongitudinal recess 19 a, 19 b is an angular surface 89 a, 89 b with anedge 23 a, 23 b which terminates just prior to the end of the side wall60 a, 60 b in a protrusion 22 a, 22 b perpendicular to the end walls 16a, 16 b.

When the first portion 10 a and the second portion 10 b are matedtogether by sliding the first portion 10 a and second portions 10 brelative to each other, with surface 87 b of the angular surface 89 b isplaced adjacent surface 87 a of the angular surface 89 a, such thatramps 20 a and 20 b are adjacent, with ramp 20 a being on top of surface88 b and ramp 20 b being on top of surface 88 a, such that exposedsurfaces 29 a and 29 b of the flat surface 88 a, 88 b are adjacent.Additionally, protrusion 22 b is received within recess 19 a andprotrusion 22 a is received within recess 19 b to lock the first portion10 a relative to the second portion 10 b. Exposed surface 30 a is alsoadjacent exposed surface 30 b.

Extending perpendicular from the inner surface 62 of the longitudinallyextending side wall 60 a, 60 b and above the flat surface 17 a, 17 b isa spring end retainer 14 a, 14 b. When the first portion 10 a and thesecond portion 10 b are mated to form the two piece vane seal 100, thespring end retainer 14 a, 14 b extends from the inner surface 62 of thelongitudinally extending side wall 60 a of a first portion 10 a to theinner surface 62 of the longitudinally extending side wall 60 b of thesecond portion 10 b forming three partitions or recesses. A first endrecess 200 is formed by the flange 12 a of the first portion 10 a, theflat surface 17 a of the first portion 10 a, the spring end retainer 14a of the first portion 10 a, the inner surface 62 of the longitudinallyextending wall 60 a of the first portion 10 a and the inner surface 62of the longitudinally extending wall 60 b of the second portion 10 b. Asecond end recess 201 an end opposite the first recess 200 is formed bythe flange 12 b of the second portion 10 b, the flat surface 17 b of thesecond portion 10 b, the spring end retaining 14 b of the second portion10 b, the inner surface 62 of the longitudinally extending wall 60 a ofthe first portion 10 a and the inner surface 62 of the longitudinallyextending wall 60 b of the second portion 10 b. A medial recess 203between the first end recess 200 and the second end recess 201 is formedby spring end retainer 14 a, spring end retainer 14 b, flat surface 17a, 17 b, and ramp 18 a, 18 b and curved protrusions 20 a, 20 b. A spring50, preferably a leaf spring is received within the recesses of the twopiece vane seal 100. In another embodiment, spring 50 is capable ofbeing an accordion spring, a blade spring, or a compression spring. Thespring 50 is an elongated rectangle with curled ends. In a freeunanchored state, the spring 50 curls. When the spring 50 is installedinto the vane seal 100, the spring 50 is in an uncurled state. Thespring 50 has a first curled end 50 a, a second curled end 50 b with alength 50 c between the first curled end 50 a and the second curled end50 b. A first curled end 50 a of the spring 50 is received within thefirst recess 200 and abuts the spring end retainer 14 a. A second curledend 50 b of the spring 50 is received with the second recess 201 andabuts the spring end retainer 14 b. The length 50 c of the spring 50 isreceived within the medial recess 203 between the spring end retainers14 a, 14 b. The first end 50 a of the spring 50, and second end 50 b ofthe spring 50 are preferably rounded to allow for easy rotation withinthe recesses although other geometries may also be used. Spring 50provides radial and axial force on each portion 10 a, 10 b of the twopiece vane seal 100 to preload the vane seal 100 against the slidingsealing surfaces of the rotor assembly as shown in FIGS. 9-11.

In FIGS. 9-11, the two piece vane seal 100 is received within a channel108 within the end 104 a of the vane 104 that contacts the housingassembly 101 when the rotor assembly 105 is assembled within a phaser.The front 104 a and back 104 b of the vane 104 each have side channels109 which terminate in recesses 106. The flanges 12 a, 12 b are receivedwithin the side channels 109 on the front 104 a and the back 104 b ofthe vane 104, with the interlocking protrusions 13 a, 13 b receivedwithin the recesses 106 of the vanes.

After the two piece vane seal 100 is installed within the end of thevane 104, a first seal land 220 a is preferably formed between thecontoured surfaces of bottom surfaces 70 a, 70 b and the housingassembly 101, and around the perimeter of the two piece vane seal 100, asecond seal land 220 b is formed between an edge of the flange 12 a, 12b and the vane 104, and a third seal land 220 c is formed between anedge of the flange 12 a, 12 b which connects to the bottom 70 a, 70 band the end plates of the housing assembly 101. The seal coefficient offriction will be altered based upon qualitative differences in thematerials, surface finishes, and fluids used for the vane seal 100 andin the rotor assembly 105.

As shown in FIG. 9, an additional flange 205 may be secured to flanges12 a, 12 b to add in centering the vane seal 100 within the vane 104 ofthe rotor assembly 105.

In one embodiment, the rotor assembly 105 and two piece vane seal 100slide to one side allowing a clearance of 0.030 mm from the rotorassembly 105 to the inner plate of the housing assembly 101, enablingoil or hydraulic fluid to flow in the path of least resistance and tomove around the seal 100 between the rotor assembly and inner plate ofthe housing assembly 101.

The two piece vane seal 100 can extend or retract to conform togeometric irregularities. Each half or portion, 10 a, 10 b is free toindividually move axially to decrease close axial clearances and providelower leakage past the seal and conform to geometric irregularitiesresulting from manufacturing tolerance.

While vane seal spring 50 is only shown being attached to retainingshoulders 31 a and 31 b, vane seal spring 50 is capable of being moldedinto one half, first vane seal component 10 a and second vane sealcomponent 10 b, of the two piece vane seal 100 to simplify assembly.

The two piece vane seal 100 is preferably formed of a single materialsuch as metal. Two piece vane seal 100 can expand and contract tocompensate for the differing thermal expansion. Two piece vane seal 100is capable of compensating for component wear and extending thecompensation to vane seal performance.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of theinvention herein described are merely illustrative of the application ofthe principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of theillustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of theclaims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential tothe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A two piece vane seal comprising: a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being a mirror image of the first portion, the first portion and the second portion each comprising: a first end; a second end connected to the first end; a flange extending axially from the first end; wherein the first end and the second end are connected by a longitudinally extending wall; the longitudinally extending wall comprising: an inner surface; a rectangular structure extending radially outward from and parallel to the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall; a flat surface extending parallel to and radially outward from the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall; a first longitudinal recess defined by the rectangular structure adjacent to at least the flat surface defining a second longitudinal recess between the flat surface and the rectangular structure and including a radially outward exposed surface; at least one spring end retainer extending radially outward from the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall; an edge protruding radially outward from the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall, projecting from the second end a length and aligned with the second longitudinal recess including a first end with a protrusion and a second end; a curved ledge extending radially outward from and parallel to the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall between the second end and the spring end retainer; a ramp extending radially outward from and parallel to the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall connecting the curved ledge to the flat surface; the first portion assembled relative to and connected to the second portion with the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall of the first portion opposite the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall of the second portion, such that the second longitudinal recess of the second portion receives the edge extending from the longitudinally extending wall of the first portion; and a spring comprising: a first end; a second end; and a length; the first end received by the spring end retainer on the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall of the second portion, the second end received by the spring end retainer on the inner surface of the longitudinally extending wall of the first portion.
 2. The two piece vane seal of claim 1, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of a leaf spring, an accordion spring, a blade spring, and a compression spring.
 3. The two piece vane seal of claim 1, wherein the vane seal is extendable to conform to geometric irregularities and manufacturing tolerances.
 4. The two piece vane seal of claim 1, wherein the vane seal is contractible to conform to geometric irregularities and manufacturing tolerances.
 5. The two piece vane seal of claim 1, wherein, the flat surface of the longitudinally extending wall of the second portion receives the ramp of the longitudinally extending wall of the first portion when the first portion is assembled relative to and connected to the second portion.
 6. A two piece vane seal comprising: a first portion comprising: a first end; a second end connected to the first end; a flange extending axially from the first end; wherein the first end and the second end are connected by a first longitudinally extending wall including an inner surface with a rectangular structure extending radially outward therefrom and parallel to the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinal recess, the rectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flat surface defining a second longitudinal recess between the flat surface and the rectangular surface and having a radially outward exposed surface; at least one spring end retainer extending radially outward from the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall; an edge extending radially outward from the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall protruding from the second end a length, and aligned with the second longitudinal recess; a second portion comprising: a first end; a second end connected to the first end; a flange extending axially from the first end; wherein the first end and the second end are connected by a second longitudinally extending wall having an inner surface with a rectangular structure extending radially outward therefrom and parallel to the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinal recess, the rectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flat surface defining a second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall between the flat surface and the rectangular surface and having a radially outward exposed surface; at least one spring end retainer extending radially outward from the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall; an edge extending radially outward from the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall protruding from the second end a length and aligned with the second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall; the first portion assembled relative to and connected to the second portion with the inner surface of the first longitudinal wall opposite the inner surface of the second longitudinal wall, such that the second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall receives the edge extending from the first longitudinally extending wall and the second longitudinal recess of the first longitudinally extending wall receives the edge extending from the second longitudinally extending wall; and a spring having: a first end; a second end; and a length, the first end received by the spring end retainer on the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall of the second portion, the second end received by the spring end retainer on the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall of the first portion.
 7. The two piece vane seal of claim 6, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of a leaf spring, an accordion spring, a blade spring, and a compression spring.
 8. The two piece vane seal of claim 6, wherein the second portion is smaller than the first portion.
 9. The two piece vane seal of claim 6, wherein the second longitudinal recess of the first longitudinally extending wall of the first portion has a first end with a protrusion and a second end.
 10. The two piece vane seal of claim 6, wherein the second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall of the second portion has a first end with a protrusion and a second end.
 11. A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine comprising: a housing assembly; a rotor assembly coaxially located within the housing assembly including vanes extending therefrom, the end of the vane defining a groove; a vane seal received within the groove, the vane seal comprising: a first portion comprising: a first end; a second end connected to the first end; a flange extending axially from the first end; wherein the first end and the second end are connected by a first longitudinally extending wall including an inner surface with a rectangular structure extending radially outward therefrom and parallel to the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinal recess, the rectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flat surface defining a second longitudinal recess between the flat surface and the rectangular surface and having a radially outward exposed surface; at least one spring end retainer extending radially outward from the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall; an edge extending radially outward from the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall extending from the second end a length and aligned with the second longitudinal recess; a second portion comprising: a first end; a second end connected to the first end; a flange extending axially from the first end; wherein the first end and the second end are connected by a second longitudinally extending wall having an inner surface with a rectangular structure extending radially outward therefrom and parallel to the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall defining a first longitudinal recess, the rectangular structure being adjacent to at least a flat surface defining a second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall between the flat surface and the rectangular surface and having a radially outward exposed surface; at least one spring end retainer extending radially outward from the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall; an edge extending radially outward from the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall extending from the second end a length and aligned with the second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall; the first portion assembled relative to and connected to the second portion with the inner surface of the first longitudinal wall opposite the inner surface of the second longitudinal wall, such that the second longitudinal recess of the second longitudinally extending wall receives the edge extending from the first longitudinally extending wall; the second longitudinal recess of the first longitudinally extending wall receives the edge extending from the second longitudinally extending wall; and a spring having a first end; a second end; and a length, the first end received by the spring end retainer on the inner surface of the second longitudinally extending wall of the second portion, the second end received by the spring end retainer on the inner surface of the first longitudinally extending wall of the first portion.
 12. The variable cam timing phaser of claim 11, wherein the spring is selected from the group consisting of a leaf spring, an accordion spring, a blade spring, and a compression spring.
 13. The variable cam timing phaser of claim 11, wherein the vane seal is contractible to conform to geometric irregularities and manufacturing tolerances. 